Annunciator.



PATBNTBD JAN. 2, 1906.

A. GARLISS.

ANNUNGIATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY25, 1901.

UNITED STATES PATNT oEErc'E.

ALBERT CARLISS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ELECTRIC TELEPHONE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR- PORATION.

ANNUNCIATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1906.

Application filed may 25, 1901. erial No. 61,961.

To aw whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT CARLIss, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Annunciator, of which the following is a specifi cation. I

My invention relates to annunciators, adapted more particularly for use in telephone systems.

Generally stated, the object of my invention is to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive device of this character and to provide certain details and features of improvement tending to increase the general efficiency and serviceability of an annunciator for the above purpose.

A special object is to provide an improved arrangement whereby the spring for normally retracting the armature may be employed as a contact for opening and closing a circuit and whereby this armature may at the same time be employed for operating the drop or like signaling indicator.

Another object is to provide an improved construction of the drop or indicating device and to improve the structure or means for supporting the armature.

To the accomplishment of these objects and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention comprises a signaling device having a magnet-coil, pivoted armature extending longitudinally thereof, and a spring electric contact adapted to normally retract said armature and to cooperate with a stationary contact adjacent. thereto, and a shutter or other signaling device adapted to be operated by said armature. Novel means are also provided for securing the armature pivotplateto its support, as well as a novel arrangement or construction for operating the shutter.

The invention further consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which the same reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively rear and front end elevations. 5 is a perspective view of the armature. Fig.

6 is a similar view of the side strips or rods and springcontact. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the shutter. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the armature pivot-plate attached to its supporting-plate. Fig. 9 is a sectional View of the same on line A A of Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the number-plate.

The numerals 2 and 3 designate supporting-plates for the magnet, shutter, and cooperating devices. They are properly spaced apart by the spacing and supporting blocks 2*, which are held in place by screws passing longitudinally therethrough. Either or both of these supporting-plates may be prolonged, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, to accommodate a plurality of the magnets and shutters side by side, or the plate 2 may be extended beneath the annunciator in order to secure the same in any convenient manner, as by screws therethrough, to a supporting part. At the back of the plate 2 a small plate 3 is provided, and on the rear face of this the magnet is secured in any convenient way, preferably by screws 4 passing through the plate'2 and into the end piece 7 of the magnet. The magnet comprises the coil 5, provided with square insulating end pieces 6 and 7, core 8, and the end metallic pieces 9 and 10, which are snugly joined and secured to the core 8 and are circular on their lower side to conform to the shape of the coil, but are square or horizontal on their upper edges for a purpose hereinafter explained. The stationary terminals 11 ,of the magnet are supported in the insulating end piece 6 of the magnet-coil and are connected with the ends of the coil in the usual way. They are adapted to be conveniently attached to the circuitwires. At the rear side of the end piece 9 of the magnet an armature pivot-plate 13 is attached having the form shown in detail in Fig. 8 and being provided with a central aperture through which the core 8 extends and with the upper and lower lugs 14 and 15 by which it is secured to the plate 9 by the rivets l6. Pivot-arms 17, projecting from the face of the plate and upwardly, are formed integral therewith and in which the armature 18 of the magnet is pivoted by means of a pin 18", extending therethrough.

A simple means of forming the rivets 16 integral with the plate 9 is shown in Fig. 9. The punches and dies used to punch the said plate are constructed to also punch or form the rivets 16, so as to project therefrom, but not entirely through or out of the plate, whereby they remain integral therewith and may be beaded over to hold the plate 13 in place thereon. This is an inexpensive and convenient method of fixing the said brass pivot-plate in place.

The armature 18 (see Fig. 5) consists of a vertical portion 19 and the horizontal portion 20, which latter extends longitudinally of the magnet and is adapted to be attracted by the end pieces 9 and 10, secured to the core 8 and which extend the magnetic circuit toward the armature. The armature then tends to complete the magnet-circuit of the coil through the core 8 and end piece 9 when the coil is energized and is drawn down toward them. Portions of this armature are cut away in both the horizontal and vertical parts in order to lighten the same. An adjusting-screw 21 is provided in the lower part of the vertical portion to adjust the upward throw of the armature. The vertical portion 19 of the armature is so cut away and at such a distance from the end of the core 8 as not to be attracted to any detrimental extent at this point by the core 8. At the forward end of the armature an arm 22, rigidly secured thereto in any desired way, is provided,which projects forward over the plates 2, 3, and 3, all being suitably notched to allow. the said arm to vibrate therein.

The shutter or drop 23 of the annunciator is pivoted or hinged, as desired, on the front face of the plate 3. for this purpose consists of the brass plates 24 and 25, having the pivot-journals formed by the upper ears 26 of the brass plate 25, which are bent or folded over so that when said plate is clamped, as by small screws 25', to the brass plate 24 there will be room therebetween for the pintle or pivot-pin 27, on which pivot-pin the ears 28 of the shutter 23 (see Fig. 7) are hung. The shutter is also provided with a rearwardly-extending arm, lug, or tailpiece 29, having the upturned edge 30, on which the forward end of the arm 22, carried by the armature 18, is adapted to press and cause the shutter 23 to rise. The end of this arm 29, it will be noticed, is in the rear of the shutter fulcrum or pivot 27, and therefore the downward pressure of the arm causes the same to rise. This construction, it will be observed, results in a complete throw or lift of the flap or shutter with but a slight movement of the armature and without a complication of levers and apparatus. When the shutter lifts, it is desired in some conditions of use of the invention to expose a number, and it is often desired in such systems to change the numbers on the annunciators. I contemplate providing for this pur pose a convenient device comprising, as shown in Fig. 10, a plate 30, bearing on its A suitable construction face the desired number or other indicating character and provided at its back face near one edge with cylindrical studs 3]., adapted to snugly fit in aperture 31. in the front plate 3, (see dotted lines in Fig. 1,) the number plate being omitted from this figure. To remove such plates, it is only necessary to raise the shutter and pull the studs out of the aperture 31'. This arrangement also admits of a ready change of numbers. The pivot-pin 27 is given a central upward bend 32 (as seen in Fig. 4) to permit the vertical movement of the end of arm 22.

In some places where such instruments are used it is desirable to close an auxiliary or local circuit by the operation of the armature. This may be useful in various relationsas, for example, where it is desired to operate a pilot-signal. It may also be desired to operate the same by a slight initial current through the magnet or in the initial movement of the armature before the drop or shutter is actuated. In the case of the pilotlamp such an arrangement would be valuable in case the current of the line was weak, in which case the coil would be energized sufficiently to close the pilot-lamp circuit, which I would indicate to the operator that trouble existed. somewhere. Other uses are found for this arrangement, and I therefore construct the device so as to operate the contacts in the initial movement of the armature, which may be done by a weak current, and

then operate the shutter or drop in the fur ther movement of the armature, at which time in some systems a stronger current may be available. To accomplish this in a convenient and simple manner, I provide side strips or braces 40 and 41,secured to the insulating-block 7 on each side of the coil by inserting their bent ends 40 and 41 (see Fig. 6) into apertures therein,as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and to the block 6 by screws 6". They are here depressed slightly and extend rearwardly beyond the operative parts of the magnet to connect with the circuit-wires. Toward the forward end of the strip 40 a preferably integral projection 42 is provided, which is bent to extend inwardly and constitutes one of the electric contacts. To the other strip 41, near the block 6, a spring contact-arm 43 is fixed and is bent over the edge of strip 41 to lie flatwise beneath the armature 18 and extends forward to a point opposite the contact 42, where it is provided with a transverse arm 45, reaching across and over the coil to a point above the contact 42. A stud 46 of insulation is carried by the armature at 47 between the armature and spring-arm 43. The spring-arm 43 is given an upward trend to bear against the stud 46 to lift and retract the armature, the transverse arm 45 being given a downward bend to cause its free end to engage the contact 42 by a slight movement of the armature. The

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spring 43 is not so strong but that a comparatively Weak current in the coil 5 will close the contacts. The adjustment is such that the arm 22 does not operate the shutter 23 until after contact is made between 42 and 45. I/Vith this arrangement a comparatively weak current can be employed for initially energizing the electromagnet, so as to close the relay switch-springs, and then the closure of this local circuit will give the magnet more power to operate the shutter. The springarm 43 thus has the function of a retractingspring for the armature and that of an electric contact. The limited movement of the armature at first is sufficient to close these contacts, and the further movement though small also, is sufiicient to raise the drop to a horizontal position.

I/Vhile the invention has been described with reference to the details of construction, it is not to be limited thereto, as various changes and alterations may be made therein and still come within the scope thereof; but

What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a signaling device, the combination with a magnet having a coil, insulating-supports at each end of the coil, a core therefor, end pieces affixed to said core, an armature extending longitudinally of the coil and cooperating with the end pieces, electrical contacts carried by said insulating-supports, one of said contacts being of spring material to return the armature to normal position, means to close the said contacts in the initial movement of the armature, and a signal-indicating device operated by said armature in its forward movement together with indicating means normally concealed or covered by said device.

2. In an annunciator, the combination with a magnet of a core and end pieces therefor, insulating-blocks between the end pieces and the coil, longitudinal strips secured to said insulating-pieces, stationary contact on one strip, a spring-contact on the other strip and adapted to cooperate with the stationary contact, an armature extending longitudinally of the coil pivoted at one end and adapted to be retracted by said spring-contact, and a signaling device operated by said armature together with indicating means nor mally concealed or covered by said device.

3. In a magnet, an armature, a supporting-plate therefor, another plate having integral rivets formed thereon by which said supporting-plate is secured thereto.

4. In an annunciator, a front supportingplate, a shutter or drop pivoted to said plate, said plate having apertures so located as to be closed by the drop or shutter beneath the drop or shutter, and an indicating-plate having lugs on its rear face to fit within said apertures and secure the same in place.

5. In an annunciator, the combination with a drop or shutter, of a pintle or pivotpin'therefor having a central upward bend, and a lever to actuate said drop or shutter and extending beneath said upward bend.

6. In an annunciator, the combination of a magnet-core having a relatively flat polepiece disposed in the plane of one end and having its other end extended, an armature mounted upon the extended end of the core and having its free end overlying the polepiece, normally open circuitclosing contacts underlying said armature and adapted to be operated thereby, one of said contacts con.- sisting of a spring tending to keep the armature normally raised, and a shutter normally in a vertical position and in operative relation to said armature.

7. In an annunciator, the combination of a magnet-core having a relatively fiat polepiece disposed in the plane of one end, an armature mounted at the other end of the mag net and overlying the pole-piece, normally open circuit-closing contacts underlying the armature, one of said contacts consisting of a spring tending to keep the armature normally raised, and a shutter hung in a suitable support secured to the forward end of the magnet, said shutter being normally in a vertical position and having a finger or projection underlying the free end of the armature.

8. The combination of an electromagnet, an armature-mounting secured to the rear end of the magnet, a swinging armature mounted on said mounting and extending over and to the forward end of the magnet, a pair of terminal strips mounted at either side of said armature, said terminal strips being rigidly connected by blocks of insulation secured to the opposite ends of the electromagnet, normally open circuit-closing contacts carried by said terminal strips, one of said contacts consisting of a spring tending to keep the armature normally raised, and a normally vertical shutter hung on the forward end of the magnet structure and operated by said armature.

9. The combination of anelectromagnet, flat pole-pieces secured to thGDPPOSIlJG ends of said magnet, an armature-mounting secured to the rear end of the magnet, an armature pivotally mounted on said mounting and overlying both pole-pieces, a normally vertical shutter hung on the forward end of the magnet structure and adapted to be raised to a horizontal position by the downward movement of the armature, and a spring-switch tending to keep the armature normally raised and the shutter in its vertical position.

10. In an annunciator, the combination of an electromagnet, pieces of insulationsecured to the opposite ends of said magnet, pole-pieces also secured to opposite ends of said magnet, parallel terminal strips secured to said pieces of insulation at opposite sides of the magnet, an armature pivotally mounted upon one end of the magnet structure, the said armature overlying both pole-pieces, a vertical indicator hung at the other end of the magnet structure and operated by the armature, and switch-contacts carried by said terminal strips and adapted to be opened and closed by the armature.

11. An annunciator, comprising a magnetic core having .a relatively flat pole-piece disposed in the plane of one end and having its other end extended, an armature provided with a rear vertical portion suitably mounted on the extended rear end of the core and having its horizontal portion overlying the pole-piece, a finger on the forward end of the armature, a spring tending normally to keep the armature raised, and a target hung on the forward end of the magnet structure and held in a normally lowered position, said target having a rearwardly-extending projection underlying the said finger, whereby said target is raised when the armature is attracted together with indicating means normally concealed or covered by said target.

12. An annunciator comprising a magnetic core having a relatively flat pole-piece disposed in the plane of one end, an armature provided with a rearv vertical portion suitably mounted at the other end of the magnet and having its horizontal portion overlying the pole-piece, the forward end of said armature being provided with a finger, a target hung from the forward end of the magnet structure, and a spring-switch tending normally to keep the armature raised, said target being normally down and having a rear projection underlying the said finger,

whereby the target is raised when the arma-- ture is. attracted together with indicating means normally concealed or covered by said target.

13. An annunciator, comprising an electromagnet, pieces of insulation secured to the opposite ends of said magnet, pole-pieces also secured to the opposite ends of said magnet, an armature mounted upon the rear end of the magnet structure and having its horizontal portion overlying both pole-pieces, parallel terminal strips rigidly secured to said pieces of insulation at opposite sides of the magnet, a shutter carried by the forward end of the magnet structure and operated by said armature, and switch-contacts car ried by said terminal strips beneath the armature and operated by the latter together with indicating means normally concealed or covered by said target.

14. An annunciator comprising an electromagnet, pieces of insulation secured to opposite ends of said magnet, an armature suitably mounted upon the rear end of the magnet structure and having its horizontal portion overlying the magnet, a shutter engaged and operated by the forward end of the armature, terminal strips secured to said pieces of insulation at opposite sides of the magnet, and switch-contacts carried by the said terminal stripsbeneath the armature and opened and closed by the latter together with indicating means normally concealedor covered by said target.

Signed by me at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, this 22d day of May, 1901.

ALBERT CARLISS.

Witnesses CHAS. C. BULKLEY, HARRY P. BAUMGARTNER. 

